The end of this NASCAR season has been bittersweet for all. Amongst the excitement of the finale, the entire NASCAR community experienced a shocking incident. The passing away of Coy Gibbs, vice chairman of Joe Gibbs Racing saddened everyone yesterday.
Coy Gibbs, father of the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, Ty Gibbs passed away in his sleep, hours after his son won the title. Announcing the demise of 49-year-old vice chairman, Joe Gibbs Racing shared a Tweet requesting privacy at this challenging time.
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Soon the flood of condolence messages poured in from the fans. Moreover, the entire NASCAR community came together to stand alongside Ty Gibbs in this difficult situation, though virtually. Bubba Wallace also took to Twitter to offer his condolences to the Gibbs family right after his race.
Furthermore, the official accounts of NASCAR’s Team Penske, SiriusXM producer Davey Segal, and host Danielle Trotta, also offered their due condolences.
Been a really tough day. Hate we couldn’t have a better result. None of that matters at the end of the day. Heart goes out to Ty, Coach, Pat and the entire Gibbs family. Coy was always great to me!
Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight!
💔
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) November 7, 2022
Sending our deepest condolences.
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) November 6, 2022
Our condolences to Coach and his entire family.
— Danielle Trotta (@DanielleTrotta) November 6, 2022
Hard to fathom that this picture was taken just last night. RIP Coy Gibbs. pic.twitter.com/AHuuoEGqiA
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) November 6, 2022
Joey Logano, winner of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series title also extended his sympathies to the Gibbs family. Logano, who started his career at Joe Gibbs Racing told Fox reporter Bob Pockrass; “It’s a bittersweet moment today. I heard it before the race and you know, when you are about to focus in for a championship, it’s really hard to be able to think everything through.”
He further added; “And I can’t say I honestly have not thought it all of it through yet. I don’t know what happened yet. But Coy was always around. When I was over there (JGR) he was there and my thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Gibbs family. And Ty, I couldn’t imagine how he feels right now. From a high to a low like that. I don’t know what to say. This is really sad.”
Joey Logano, whose NASCAR career began at Joe Gibbs Racing, learned prior to the race that Coy Gibbs had died.
Logano: “I don’t know what to say. Just really sad.” pic.twitter.com/17q4BqJm2b
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 7, 2022
READ MORE: NASCAR World Jolted by Unfortunate Tragedy as Ty Gibbs Comes to Grips With Terrible Loss
Ty Gibbs, Coy Gibbs’ son was supposed to drive for 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series finale. However, it was announced that he was removed due to a family emergency. And a few hours after this announcement, official news regarding his father’s demise made it to the headlines.
Coy Gibbs on Ty Gibbs winning the championship hours before his tragic demise
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20-year-old Ty Gibbs achieved one of the biggest feats of his life on Saturday. Dominating the finals race, Ty held off Noah Gragson to win the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Cup Series title. Although his win was welcomed by a lot of booing by the fans, his father, Coy Gibbs was definitely proud of him.
Ty, who had earlier wrecked teammate Brandon Jones received a lot of backlash from the fans for his actions. However, irrespective of that, Coy Gibbs said that he sees a lot of potential in his son. In an interview after Ty’s win, Coy Gibbs said; “Watching it today, yeah, just to see his determination. I think he’s got skills and he’s determined.”
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He further added; “It definitely made me proud. I think it made my wife — we were both proud, just because he just hammered down and did his job. If he wants to do this for a living, he’s going to learn how to do that.”